Josiah Cheapoo

Madison - Josiah Toe Cheapoo, age 54 passed away on November 28, 2013 at Agrace HospiceCare. Funeral services will be held at ROSELAWN MEMORIAL PARK CEMETERY CHAPEL, 401 Femrite Drive, Monona on Friday, December 13, 2013 at 1:00 pm with entombment to follow the services.
Josiah was born in southeastern Liberia, the eleventh child of a traveling pastor. He grew up going to missionary-compound schools where he met children from different cultural backgrounds, areas, languages and dialects. These skills helped him in later life. After completing 2 years of technical school in Monrovia, Josiah held various jobs such as operating heavy equipment, erecting communication towers, journalism, radio and in the gold mines while living in Ghana. In America he worked in warehouses, doing deliveries, factory (Oscar Mayer) and a personal care giver. Because of the Liberian civil war, in 1990 Josiah and his family became refugees in Ghana . They stayed there for 10 years until a request to a sponsoring agency for immigration finally was answered and they flew to Chicago, IL. in July of 2001. Josiah and his family moved to Madison, WI, In 2003. West Arbor Free Methodist church assisted the family with support for housing and jobs and where Josiah became an assistant 'pastor in training'. In 2008 Josiah returned to Liberia, Africa after being away 18 yrs. Because of the war-torn country, he was moved with compassion to start a non-profit which he called "Grace Network International". He wanted to help small Christian churches in rural areas of Liberia to support one another in doing good works, esp. teaching and education in job training skills, agriculture, health, etc. He also worked on the "Forgiveness Project", an ongoing endeavor. Josiah preached and helped as a Pastor at a couple of churches in Madison including Evangel Life French church. He attended Monona Oaks Community Church and Church In The Barn, Ft. Atkinson. Members from many churches supported Josiah's vision to help support his home country of Liberia. Josiah leaves behind many grieving friends and relatives here and in Africa.

A memorial service will be held in Josaih's honor on Saturday, December 14, 2013 at 1:00 pm at MONONA OAKS COMMUNITY CHURCH, 6200 Monona Drive, Monona, WI. Memorials would be greatly appreciated to Monona Oaks Community Church, to continue Josiah's vision and mission.